The Car Connection Expert Review

MONDECITO, California — While the
image and capability of the Suburban family of sport-utes may have been honed on
ranches and in hard hat areas like oil fields, most of these behemoths nowadays
are housed in upscale areas like this Santa Barbara suburb.

They’ve been a steady source of profits for GM as a result.

Only this year, they’re undergoing something of an identity crisis. While the
Chevrolet Suburban stays the same, the GMC version gets a new name that sounds
straight out of a Wal-Mart circular —Yukon XL.

Review continues below

"Capitalizing on the Yukon name gives GMC full-size sport-utility vehicles a
distinct identity in the market," said Denny O'Donnell, Yukon brand manager.
"Yukon is a name that clearly means 'GMC,' and GMC means trucks that deliver
more capability than may be needed."

The new Yukon XL is an evolution of a product that was introduced in 1935.
The first Suburban pioneered the full-size sport-utility segment. It provided
customers with a durable, reliable, go-anywhere vehicle with plenty of cargo
space, passenger seating and towing capacity.

For 2000, the Yukon XL’s design builds on the look established by the all-new
1999 Sierra full-size pickup. While only a grille and badges distinguished
previous GMCs, lower fender lines and bulged hoods give 2000-model GMC designs
distinctive and brawny appearances.

Even with a new more spacious interior, Yukon XL has the same exterior
dimensions than its predecessor and is actually more maneuverable with a smaller
turning diameter. Overall ride and handling have also been improved.

For enhanced vehicle control, Yukon XL offers advanced systems on both two-
and four-wheel-drive models. A traction-assist system available on two-wheel
drive models reacts to low-traction conditions faster than the driver could. On
four-wheel-drive models, an optional Autotrac active transfer case automatically
transfers torque to the front wheels when needed.

2000 GMC Yukon XL

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The Premium Smooth Ride Suspension (optional on K1500 Series) features
self-leveling rear shocks to adjust and maintain level vehicle trim heights and
help improve handling. The fully automatic Autoride "Real Time Damping" system
uses information from wheel height, steering and other sensors to continuously
vary shock damping while driving. In addition, electronic sensors control a
compressor pump that keeps the rear of the vehicle level with the front. This
proved to be a remarkable benefit when towing a trailer over rough terrain when
compared with competitive vehicles.

Yukon XL has an independent torsion bar front suspension on both two- and
four-wheel-drive models. A new five-link rear suspension uses coil springs
instead of leaf springs to create a smoother ride.

"Get the structure right, and you'll create a more comfortable, stable,
vibration-free environment," said Chief Engineer Ken Sohocki. "For the
Suburban/XL, this was accomplished by increasing the number of welds by 25
percent, optimizing weld location, and doubling the stiffness of major body
sections and joints."

To that point, the frame is fully boxed for added structural stiffness to
help reduce vibration, squeaks and rattles. Hydroforming (using high-pressure
water presses to shape the aluminum pieces) is used in
strategic areas such as the front/rear rails and engine crossmember and adds
strength and improves dimensional control.

There is more head and hip room in all three seat rows. Ease of entry is
helped with a lower step-in height and wider door openings, and third seat
access is improved by increasing the clearance behind the sliding second-row
seat. Second-row seats were moved back, adding legroom. Still, there are
competitive models with easier rear-row access, and the narrow running boards
seem too narrow for comfortable use.

Interior room was maximized by more efficient packaging of heating/air
conditioning ducts and by moving the spare tire underneath the vehicle. The
Yukon XL offers generous cargo room without removing the rear seat through a new
"fold and stow" feature. Engineers made seat removal easier by incorporating
safety belts into the seat assembly and providing wheels and a carrying handle.
And true to form, it can still carry a 4-by-8 sheet of plywood on the load floor
between wheelhouses.

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2000 GMC Yukon XL

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This year, customers can choose between a liftgate or split rear cargo doors.
Ironically, GM pioneered the Dutch door on its Astro and Safari vans that allows
easy rear access without the rear view-impeding center divider but doesn’t offer
it on these new products.

The XL’s air conditioning system provides quicker cool downs and optimal
continuous cabin temperature. Optional electronic dual-zone climate controls
allow passengers to maintain two different temperature levels. The new Vortec
V-8s feature more power, an average 4 percent improvement in fuel efficiency,
increased durability and reduced tailpipe emissions compared with the engines
they replace. The 1500 Series Yukon XL will come standard with the 5.3-liter
V-8, while 4.8-liter and 6.0-liter versions are optional. Soon the
Isuzu-developed diesels will become available, but there are no large gasoline
engines at present.

The new engines get mated to a family of more durable and "smarter"
four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmissions, and they live up
to GM’s fine reputation. New features include a larger sump, which increases the
amount of fluid, reducing heat and improving durability.

For the first time in history these big sport-utes have a competitor from
Ford, and look for GM to respond to their models and features with changes and
options on the XL and Suburban. Look for most of them to be clogging trendy
driveways from Buckhead to Beverly Hills.

Best fullsize SUV that really works as an SUV

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This has been a great SUV. I currently have over 200M miles on this truck and have had minimal non-routine maintenance. I use synthetic oil and perform oil changes every 5000 miles. Leather interior has held...
This has been a great SUV. I currently have over 200M miles on this truck and have had minimal non-routine maintenance. I use synthetic oil and perform oil changes every 5000 miles. Leather interior has held up well. SUV has is very comfortable, responsive, and easy to drive for a vehicle of this size. I regularly pull a utility trailer without any problems. Pulled larger heavier items using a stabilizer hitch again without issue. I really like this vehicle and hope newer versions are as reliable as I plan to replace with another GM fullsize SUV. + More »